'When the days of her purification are completed, for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the doorway of the tent of meeting a one year old lamb for a burnt offering ( olah ) and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering ( chataat ). (Le 12:6)

This is a puzzling passage for the average reader.  First, there is a distinction made between the number of purification days for a new mother depending upon whether she "sows" a male or female child into the world.  The girl requires twice the number of days, 80, as the male child, 40.  In past newsletters, we pointed out that within the Torah number patterns, there is a symbolic "wholeness" in the female child.  The male is half of that fullness, reinforcing the original idea that "it is not good for man to be alone."  

Why does a new mother need to bring offerings, though?  She has not sinned, but obeyed a commandment to be fruitful.  There are deeper truths to dig, but this week, let's take a simple one.  

First, the olah offering of a year-old lamb.  An olah is a resurrection offering, like Isaac, who was to be offered as an olah, one who would "go up."  A sin offering ( chataat) of a dove accompanied the resurrection offering.  At the resurrection, who wants to ascend with sin?  

The new mother's worst fears and hopes are for her child's future.  What every new mother would hope for is that this child, whether male or female, would arise at the resurrection without sin.

These two symbols, the young lamb and the dove, assure her that a plan was put in place long ago.  From the foundation of the world, the Lamb was slain, and with the transforming power of the Ruach HaKodesh, symbolized by the dove, the child's nature can be purified from sin, and he or she can become a beloved child, in whom the Father is well-pleased.  

May the mothers and fathers, sons and daughters in Zion be comforted by Yeshua's sacrifice!

Below you'll find many opportunities to join us for Creation teaching, studying Scripture, and rejoicing in Israel at Sukkot.